Monticello, IA: 1 Health Violation — 64/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Monticello, IA: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How Monticello Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Monticello Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 119 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $4,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.93 — above typical levels.
Monticello's Water Providers
Federal drinking water records identify 3 systems in Monticello, IA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Monticello, Iowa, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 6,384 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Monticello: C (64/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Monticello water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 82 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 74 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 52 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52310 | C | 119 | 1 | Monticello Water Supply |
All ZIP Codes in Monticello
- 52310 [C] — 119 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Monticello Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Monticello's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Monticello Infrastructure Age
With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Monticello is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1962 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Monticello were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Monticello
Remediation costs in Monticello represent a substantial share of typical property values — the equity impact here is significant, and careful financial planning is essential rather than optional for most homeowners.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Monticello represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,750–$6,100. Home values here are 17% above the Iowa average.
Monticello: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Practically, the structural drivers in Monticello — 70% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Monticello: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood activity in Monticello is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 37-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Monticello has a moderate flood history with 37 FEMA claims averaging $81,726 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$4,000</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Monticello
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead can reduce the most common contaminant found in Monticello's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Monticello, IA